Bear and Penguin are two delightful Dorling Kindersley characters who can guide a child through the first steps in learning to read for pleasure on the PC.

The software takes the child on a journey to the Ice Mountain where Bear and Penguin's Big Reading Adventure takes place.

With plenty of games and activities to keep a five to seven-year-old interested, this beautifully presented software offers an easy insight into spelling patterns, phonics and sentence construction.

All the controls are laid out in a simple fashion and the activities are suited to a small child's abilities and boredom tolerance.

Once your child has learned the basics, set them loose on one of the Penguin and Bear digital storybooks included with the software.

Price: £19.99
Contact: 0207 836 5411
Feelgood factor: 9 out of 10